Update on Equine Illness at UF English Farm
Updated on March 7, 2018:
The University of Findlay’s English Equestrian Farm is no longer under quarantine for Equine Herpes Virus that was detected at it and other Ohio facilities in early February. According to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the quarantine was lifted on Tuesday, March 6.
The University has resumed its normal operations and is again allowing horses to enter and leave the English farm. A total of five horses had tested positive for the virus, including two on Jan. 25 and three on Feb. 9. Slightly elevated temperatures were noticed, but the affected horses otherwise did not exhibit clinical symptoms.
This strain was found to be the “normal” strain of the virus, and not the same strain that caused the death of horses at the farm in 2003. To prevent the spread of the virus, strict regulations and biosecurity measures were implemented. Along with isolating the affected horses from the rest of the horse population, this protocol included using proper disinfection and sanitizing practices and monitoring every horse’s temperature.
The University is aware of the additional challenges that everyone at the farm has faced, and greatly appreciates the diligence of the faculty, staff, students and community in following the biosecurity measures, caring for the horses, and providing ongoing support.
The Western Equestrian Farm, located more than five miles from the English Farm, was not affected by the outbreak and was not under quarantine. Nevertheless, the University had stopped all traffic of western equestrian students, tack, and equipment to and from the English Farm while the quarantine is in place. Normal operations between the Western and English farms has resumed.
At the University of Findlay, we take the health of our horses very seriously. We abide by strict vaccination policies, and all of the horses at the English Equestrian Farm had already been vaccinated for this virus. We will continue to take the necessary precautions to protect the health and wellbeing of all horses, and work with our three staff veterinarians and two veterinarians in our faculty to maintain the health of our horses.